Page 59 of The Savage

The doctor hovers. ‘About four minutes but you risk destabilising your vitals⁠—’

‘Wake me properly the second Dante leaves. One second longer and you and I will have a problem.’

His distress is palpable. ‘Signore⁠—’

‘Relax,’ I mutter. ‘You’ll live. Maybe.’

My phone buzzes on the tray. I reach for it, thumb heavy on the screen.

Nightowl

You’ll thank me for this later.

Renzo

Doubtful.

Nightowl

Madre Superiora – turns out her vows were more transactional than spiritual. Had a sweet little side business selling confessions to whoever paid highest. Bank accounts to match.

I blink hard, fighting the haze. My fingers lose their ability to type, so I hit the mic button and slur the words.

Renzo

You’re telling me the nun’s a crook.

Nightowl

Crook, informant, blackmailer. Take your pick.

Renzo

Where is she?

Nightowl

Somewhere safe. Somewhere you’ll want to be when you wake up.

A chill slides down my spine.

Renzo

You moved her.

Nightowl

Let’s call it relocation. New scenery. Better lighting for interrogation.

I stare at the words until they start to blur.

Renzo

Why?

Nightowl

You said hard questioning. I just set the table. Sweet dreams, racer boy.